Williams could well be Calado's best shot, and 2015 perhaps is accurate.

Actually Williams will be a very interesting team to watch over the next couple of years. Maldonado has calmed down somewhat, although he's still a solid qualifier/racer. Meanwhile Bottas is in the other car and has been talked up by Williams to the point where if Maldonado is comfortably beating him by the European races, Bottas will appear a disappointment. Of course, if Bottas DOES match expectations, the upper midfield or even the frontrunners may come knocking - especially if Perez disappoints at McLaren.

Additionally, Renault have stated that they would reduce their number of teams from the current 4 to 3 rather than upping it to 5 with another team. And with STR expected to join their mother team at the French manufacturer, 2 other teams would have to go. Caterham perhaps, which might run Ferraris, as well as Williams, which could then opt for Hondas (since I can't imagine them running prancing horse power)?

They would prefer to reduce customers. They are likely to be supplying 5 teams next year until Honda comes in for 2015.

Red Bull Renault: Vettel / Raikkonen - Hulkenberg performs well for Sauber and RBR can't repair the relationship to Webber, Dietrich is very unhappy but figures that Hulkenberg can do a similar job in getting Red Bull Championships however Sauber snapped up Hulkenberg again, so they just get Raikkonen after talks break down with Lotus due to money

Mercedes: Hamilton / Rosberg - No change

Lotus: Webber / Grosjean - Lotus thought with a pairing with Kimi and Mark, they can win the championship. They signed Webber up mid-season however Kimi was asking for too much money in talks, so Lotus figured that Grosjean who did a great job in 2013 could help Lotus win races alongside Mark Webber who felt that he is still performing at a high level

McLaren: Button / Perez - No Change

Sauber: Hulkenberg / Gutierrez - Gutierrez grew so much during the season and Sauber wanted to keep Nico locked up for another season

Force India: Sutil / Vergne - Di Resta wasn't happy with the team, so decided to go a different racing series. Sutil performed very well for the team and Vergne was dumped from Toro Rosso after being criticized by Marko after he indirectly caused Vettel to lose the championship to Alonso and Webber (2nd), so Force India decided to pick him up because they knew that had a great driver in Jean-Eric Vergne

Toro Rosso: Ricciardo / da Costa - Dan performed well but was beaten by Jean-Eric, so he got the keep his spot. da Costa showed the team that he is ready for an F1 drive.

Williams: Maldonado / Bottas - No Change

Marussia: Bianchi / Razia - Their original choice Razia gets the gig. Bianchi did well enough and was happy going another round with Marussia. Chilton is dumped as one driver has to.

My thoughts exactly. He's very flattered by his slow teammate. I think we should first see him paired with a good teammate before making any judgements.

I think we should wait for more than two races before making any judgements. He's been impressive so far, but slow teammate or not we haven't had nearly enough time to see how good he is. His reputation in GP2 wasn't exactly that good after all.

I think we should wait for more than two races before making any judgements. He's been impressive so far, but slow teammate or not we haven't had nearly enough time to see how good he is. His reputation in GP2 wasn't exactly that good after all.

GP2 isn't always a good benchmark - Kobayashi finished 16th in both his seasons in Formula 1, but did so much better in F1. Of course 2 races is very early but it's silly season after all and I think there's a change he will take the seat instead of Hulkenberg if he does well.

GP2 isn't always a good benchmark - Kobayashi finished 16th in both his seasons in Formula 1, but did so much better in F1. Of course 2 races is very early but it's silly season after all and I think there's a change he will take the seat instead of Hulkenberg if he does well.

The difference between kobayashi and Bianchi in GP2 was I think that Kobayashi was regarded as just average while Bianchi was regarded as very fast but a liability in close racing. In the Marussia he hasn't really been involved in any close battles yet, so that side of him has not been put to the test in F1.

I always disagreed that Bianchi was a liability in close racing. This is purely based on the crash he had in Monaco. In fact, in F3, GP2 or World Series Bianchi was always the best overtaker in the field, he could work his way up the field like no other driver. In F3 Euroseries he completely trashed the oposition, including Valtteri Bottas, with 9 wins: http://en.wikipedia....o_Series_season

Barcelona 2010: he was a victim of Perez / Vietoris tangle , pushed by Pic
Istanbul: Rookie mistake, brainfail on Pic
Hungary: he spun at the start on the astroturf (normal crash)
Spa: For his comeback , crash on the astroturf
Abu Dhabi: He closes the door on Chilton

I don't think the problem is that he had particularly many crashes, it was that he always looked as if one would happen. A bit like Maldonado. I remember in GP2 Asia in 2010 he came from way back several times to overtake cars, and didn't crash more due to the fact that they got out of the way than thanks to his skill.

On Bianchi: a driver who overtakes and attacks so much as he does has always got a bigger chance of getting involved in an incident but the number of incicents he was in are certainly not above the average for a driver in GP2 or World Series. And can't remember him involved in crashes in F3 Euroseries.

I for one can't see Kimi at the highly political RB, or at Merc for the same reasons. I think he will see out his career at Lotus .

Yesterday, Motorsport-Total (Link) said that the reason why Räikkönen might consider it would be the problems to get his salary paid at Lotus. According to them, Kimi even sent his crew an SMS a few months ago telling he would not go to a sit fitting appointment because of that.

Anyway, I know it's all rumours, but since this is the silly season thread...

And I'm sure Kimi wants to win a title at least one more time, and I don't see it happening at Lotus to be hounest. The only problem Raikkonen might encounter at Red Bull is Vettel. Even though they are friends, the team leaders there will favour Vettel in the end. Though I believe Kimi is better than Vettel overall.

Red Bull have a better chance of getting the new regs right than Lotus. They are also definitely in a much better financial position, capable of paying Kimi more money more reliably. If they want Kimi I'm dead certain he will go there.

Red Bull have a better chance of getting the new regs right than Lotus. They are also definitely in a much better financial position, capable of paying Kimi more money more reliably. If they want Kimi I'm dead certain he will go there.

Except when nobody is actually shure who's in charge at Red Bull: Mateschitz, Marko, Horner... or Vettel. If the team's prodigy is so important to them that they can't be bothered to make sure Vettel adheres to team orders — after all, the team pay his salary — I would be hesitant to leave Lotus, where Räikkönen is the unofficial number one himself.

Except when nobody is actually shure who's in charge at Red Bull: Mateschitz, Marko, Horner... or Vettel. If the team's prodigy is so important to them that they can't be bothered to make sure Vettel adheres to team orders — after all, the team pay his salary — I would be hesitant to leave Lotus, where Räikkönen is the unofficial number one himself.

The financial situation at Lotus is quite fluid. No money no Raikkonen.

Being (perceived) #2 at Red Bull is better than #1 at a team with no money.

Besides, I don't wish to open a gigantic can of worms here, but who knows whether he'll settle nicely as a subdued #2 or challenge/overcome Vettel. Webber isn't a true proper #2, he's been granted the chance to win and challenge a couple of times. Kimi knows if he gets Webber's place he will be given a fair go. And if Webber can trouble Vettel on occasion, Kimi will definitely think he can do better than Webber, therefore...

Right, I'm out of this thread before it turns into the predictable handbags fight.